The trial of a Starkville man facing charges for an October 2009 shooting on North Montgomery Street was continued Tuesday in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court.
Roderick D. Franklin, aka “Bam Bam,” has been charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault for the Oct. 30, 2009, incident in the 800 block of North Montgomery Street, during which a man was shot several times in the head, neck and shoulder area. The victim, whom police have not identified due to concerns for his safety, attempted to flag down passing motorists and knocked on several nearby doors before someone called 911. He survived the incident and was able to identify Franklin and Franklin”s half-brother, Kenyon Cannon, as the shooters, Starkville police said at the time.
Franklin and Cannon went on the run and were apprehended months later in Louisiana. U.S. Marshals and the New Orleans Police Department arrested Cannon March 8 and Franklin March 16. Both were extradited back to Mississippi.
Franklin”s trial was continued Tuesday until Nov. 1 because the defense needs more time to prepare. He is being represented by attorney Pearson Liddell. Assistant District Attorney Charlie Hedgepeth is prosecuting the case.
Cannon”s trial also is scheduled for Nov. 1.
In other court business Tuesday, a man facing a handful of drug charges was sentenced to a 15 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Judge Lee Howard sentenced Ferlando Carpenter to 25 years, but suspended 15, for one count of sale of cocaine. Howard also sentenced Carpenter to one year for each of two counts of sale of marijuana and three years for possession of contraband in jail. Carpenter also must pay a combined $6,000 in fines and faces five years of post-release supervision.
Howard also sentenced Ellis Bishop Jr., aka “June Bug,” to 10 years in the MDOC for felony shoplifting over $500. Bishop also must pay a $500 fine and $1,009.08 in restitution.
Judge Jim Kitchens sentenced Hershel McCarter to eight years in the MDOC, but suspended the sentence, for possession of cocaine. Instead, Kitchens gave McCarter five years of probation, ordered him to pay a $250 fine and another $200 in restitution to the Starkville Police Department.
Kitchens did not accept the guilty plea of Patrick Timmons, who faced one count of identity theft, and instead gave Timmons five years of probation. Timmons also must pay a $250 fine and $233.60 in restitution.
Howard sentenced Willie Ware to five years in the MDOC for one count of attempted grand larceny. Ware also must pay a $1,000 fine and faces five years of post-release supervision.
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